A stair lift is used to carry an individual up and down the stairs. Frequently people who are older, have muscular diseases, or suffer from arthritis find it very difficult and potentially dangerous to use the stairs. In these cases a stair lift can be installed on the stairs in order to prevent falls and other stair related injuries. While stair lifts are designed and used to increase safety, they can be dangerous if used improperly.

Stair lifts when used properly are very safe and will last for many years. One of the most important things to remember when using your stair lift is that you must not attempt to leave the chair or otherwise move from the stair lift until it has reached the top or bottom of the stairs. Many units have a seatbelt and you will want to make sure you wear it when in use. It is also important to not overload your stair lift. This means being mindful of the weight limits of the units.

If your stair lift is in a public place or if you have small children, then you will want to make sure you get a unit that has a lock on it. This prevents children from playing with it and also ensures that it will only be used by those who are authorized to do so. It is also very important to follow all maintenance schedules. Most simply require a small amount of grease and it only takes a few minutes to do. You should also always make sure you keep the stairs free from any obstructions. Most quality stair lifts have built in sensors that stop the unit before it runs over obstructions, but it is much better to just avoid leaving objects on the stairs.

When used and maintained properly, a stair lift will provide many years of reliable and dependable service. Make sure, however, that you use it as it was intended and read the manual and user guide.